So you think you need some skinny jeans.... or even leggings. If you look as slim as this model in this photo courtesy of Matalan Women Spring Summer 2006 then they will look great.
Matalan Stripe stretch 3/4 length sleeve £8
Black skinny jean £14
Some think skinnies are on the way out already - another factor of fashion-racing. I say just do your own thing. If they look good on you wear them, if not choose from many alternatives.
Stop and consider that Miss Average is not Miss 6 foot Model and so remember there are plenty of other trouser styles to choose from apart from skinny jeans, including full capacious sailor stride styles as well as baggier boyfriend style jeans, knee length shorts, cropped trousers and culottes.
Choose those pants that flatter your figure not those that make a skinny model look even skinnier. Be realistic and choose a fashion that flatters not fattens.
Skinnies are now in most shops yet this style is less flattering to a great many women. The best skinny jeans are said to be from Sass and Bide. Many consumers are happy with affordable skinnies from high street stores such as Topshop, Dorothy Perkins or The Gap.
If you are larger than you feel looks good in skinnies, but you long to wear them, why not wear skinny jeans under a dress that perhaps goes to mid thigh or with a long white shirt.
Try several styles of dress over the skinny jeans. For you it may be a wrap dress that looks best, for someone else a baby doll empire line dress, for another a shirt and for another a smock top. Find the style that flatters you and you too can wear skinny jeans. The biggest factor in choosing jeans once you have found a pair with a reasonable body fit is then just trying about seven or eight pairs of the same style until the perfect fitting pair emerge. Be fussy about fit.
For most people the problem with skinny jeans will be visible bulge thighs wider than the hips, so any dress that pitches mid thigh or longer should do the trick. This look can also be used with opaque or patterned tights.
Choose black, grey or dark blue skinnies or stop fretting and just buy equally fashionable very wide linen pants and look like a groomed continental lady.
Black jeans need to be black - nothing looks worse than washed out black jeans.
Necklines
Expect to see more deep semi square necklines and wide set collars in keeping with boxier jackets lines. Scoop and V necklines still abound as do bra slip dresses and halter styles. Deep low Grecian looking cowls are a change from the minor flippy higher cowls of the turn of the century. Deep low V necks remain popular on shrugs in particular.
Hour Glass Waists
With the waist really back in fashion and nipped in looks becoming more popular, it may be that some of you will need some Spanx style underwear, a few weeks of pumping iron or very good posture! You will have to stay off the biscuits though to keep that hour glass figure that the 50s fashion with its fitted bodice and cinched waist requires. The image of the bow tie cardigan right is courtesy Laura Ashley Spring Summer 2006 Womenswear ran
Satin ribbon bows will emphasise waists and will appear on dresses, jackets and knitwear as cardigan belts or as jacket trims and this is a good and easy way to update many items.
Sleeves and Arms
Loose airy and flowing sleeves are a feature of dresses and of fulsome blouses. Draw attention to shoulders with bare shoulders or shoulder lines that are puffed with fulsome airy voluminous, often semi sheer sleeves.
Bell and puff sleeves are appearing on blouses and tops. It's not difficult for someone over 22 to look ridiculous in short puff sleeves, but the same women may get away with fuller blouson sleeves and deep cuffs. Many of the sleeves are full at both the top and the bottom and are reminiscent of romantic gigot and beret sleeves.
Cap sleeves have also re-emerged and will be most welcome to those who hate strappy dresses that reveal less than model toned arms and chicken wings of flesh. The dresses we have this year are for grown ups who long to have the freedom a dress can bring to a wardrobe, but who would never wear an arm revealing spaghetti strap number.
